New images show what controversial new student block near Manchester's Whitworth Park will look like

New images showing what new student accommodation in Manchester will look like have been revealed. The controversial scheme which features a nine-storey block was given the green light by Manchester councillors two weeks ago with work set to start on the site near Whitworth Park later this year.

Residents associations, tenants unions and a heritage group objected to plans which would accommodate 261 students on Moss Lane East. As well as the new block, the scheme involves converting listed Georgian villas into housing.

The planning committee delayed its decision on the application at the start of July after councillors said they ‘could not envisage this building on this street’. It came after one objector told the town hall meeting on July 6 that the new nine-storey block would ‘oppressive and overbearing’ for residents in the area.

Thirza Asanga-Rae, who spoke on behalf of several groups at the meeting, said: “This is very much an area for family housing with need for more.”

Later that month, Hulme councillor Ekua Bayunu, who was speaking as a local resident of Moss Side, said that some families were still living in the properties on the site where the development is planned. Council bosses assured the committee that any families affected by the development would be rehoused.

Some councillors were not convinced, but most of the committee supported the application with six voting in favour. The developers behind the scheme have now released computer-generated images of the new student blocks.

The scheme will house 261 students in a mix of cluster en-suite rooms and self-sufficient studios, including a proportion of affordable accommodation. Residents will also have access to private study booths, collaboration space, lounges, cinema, gym, karaoke zone and a wellbeing room, the developers say.

The purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) firm Alumno and developer Cityside are behind the scheme designed by architects Carson Sall. Alumno managing director David Campbell said: “We are delighted that, working with our partners Cityside, planning consent was granted for our next project in Manchester, which involves the construction of a new block and refurbishment of a listed building.

“We are looking forward to commencing work on the site later this year. This will be our second project in the city in quick succession following the successful delivery of Church Inn in 2022, and it will further help relieve pressure on local housing in a city chronically underserved by PBSA by 65 pc.”

Cityside director Daniel Cohen said: “We are excited to help the city deliver much needed PBSA bed spaces and see this come forward with Alumno.”